Quezon city: Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) operatives arrested six individuals, including a female minor, and seized vape products with a marijuana flavor during a buy-bust operation in Quezon City.

According to Philippines News Agency, the CIDG reported that the suspects, identified as 'Charles,' 'Marc,' 'Steph,' 'Paulyn,' 'Jessa,' and the minor 'Mary,' were apprehended for allegedly selling and distributing vape products with cannabis flavor in Bago Bantay on August 15. These vape products are unregistered, unsafe, and prohibited for public consumption.

During the illicit transaction, 'Charles' allegedly offered violet-colored party drugs in tablet form. In the course of the arrest, CIDG operatives recovered three sachets of a white substance believed to be shabu. Authorities seized 13 vapes with cannabis flavors, 18 pieces of suspected party drugs, and three sachets of suspected shabu, with an estimated total value of PHP70,000.

CIDG director Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano stated, "With this accomplishment, we significantly protect the public, especially the youth and minors, from the potential health hazards that these vape products and dangerous drugs can cause, and we arrested the alleged sellers of these illicit items."

The suspects have been charged before the National Prosecution Service with violations of Republic Act No. 7394 (Consumer Act of the Philippines) in relation to Section 4 (Packaging and Health Warnings) (a) (i) and Section 12 (j) (Product Communication Restrictions) of Republic Act No. 11900 (Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act) and Republic Act No. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act). The minor suspect will be turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.